Graphenic Nanocomposite Barrier Films
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Graphenic Nanocomposite Barrier Films Ken Bosnick1, Nathalie Chapleau2, Michel Champagne2, Adam Bergren1, Abdelkader Benhalima2, Steve Launspach1 1
National Institute for Nanotechnology, National Research Council Canada, Edmonton, AB, Canada 2
Automotive and Surface Transportation Portfolio, National Research Council Canada, Boucherville, QC, Canada ABSTRACT The use of modern graphenic materials for improving oxygen barriers in food packaging and anti-corrosion barriers in coatings is explored by compounding and casting graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) with polyethylene (PE) and epoxy (EP). The GNP / PE films show comparable oxygen transmission rates to the neat PE films, indicating that further processing will be necessary to realize the desired enhancements. Early corrosion tests indicate that the GNP / EP coatings are providing more protection than the neat EP coatings on steel. Experiments to expand on these results are underway. INTRODUCTION Polymer films are commonly used to create barriers between different environments. For example, polyethylene films can be used to package meat products to extend shelf-life. In addition to keeping the surface of the meat free from atmospheric pathogens and other airborne contamination, the packaging can keep the environment around the meat free from oxygen when the meat is packaged under an inert atmosphere (as is the case when employing a modified atmosphere packaging strategy). Clearly, the better the barrier to oxygen diffusion, the longer the meat’s shelf-life can be extended as oxygen is a critical component in meat degradation processes [1-3]. Similarly, polyurethane and epoxy films are often used to protect steel pipes from corrosion. Again, the polymer film is used to create a barrier that, in this case, inhibits corrosive agents from contacting the steel; the better the barrier, the lower the rate of corrosion [4-10]. Even with decades of advancement in polymer science, however, there is still a need to improve such barrier materials. A common strategy for improving barrier films involves producing a composite material by compounding the polymer with a functional filler that provides a higher barrier relative to the polymer, creating a more tortuous path for the diffusing species, and resulting in lower permeation. Nanoscale fillers with high aspect ratios are excellent candidates for these applications [3]. In this work, we explore the use of modern graphenic materials for improving oxygen barriers in food packaging and anti-corrosion barriers in coatings by compounding and casting graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) with polyethylene (PE) and epoxy (EP).
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MATERIALS AND METHODS Graphene nanoplatelets The GNP materials are purchased from XG Sciences (M Series, 5/15/25 μm nominal lateral dimensions, labeled XG-M5, XG-M15, and XG-M25)
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